Describe the pirate: her personality and appearance
Characters:
Theme: Differences between What does she look like? and What is she like?
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Citizen Competition
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > English > 4th ESO > Communication
Enunciation
Have you ever heard about the pirate Grace O'Malley?
1-Write down all the words that you know related to pirates and piracy.
2 -Read these popular legends about Grace O´ Malley and answer the following questions:
- What was she like? Describe her personality. Use different adjectives.
- What about her physical appearance? What did she look like?
- What type of clothes did she use to wear?
A.
Local folklore said that Grace O´Malley (Ní Mháiller, in Irish), as a young girl, wished to go on a trading expedition to Spain with her father. Upon being told she could not because her long hair would catch in the ship’s ropes, she cut off most of her hair to embarrass her father into taking her. This earned her the nickname Gráinne Mhaol (meaning bald or having cropped hair).
B.
Ní Mháille refused to bow before Elizabeth because she didn’t recognise her as the Queen of Ireland. It’s also rumoured that she had a dagger concealed about her person, which guards found upon searching her. Elizabeth’s courtiers were said to be very upset and worried, but Ní Mháille informed the Queen that she carried it for her own safety. Elizabeth accepted this and seemed untroubled.
C.
Some also reported that Ní Mháille had sneezed and was given a lace-edged handkerchief from a noblewoman. She apparently blew her nose into it and then threw the cloth into a nearby fireplace, much to the shock of the court. Ní Mháille informed everyone that in Ireland, a used handkerchief was considered dirty and was properly destroyed.
Observations and context
- This activity will be carried out in groups of 4. We start by brainstorming words related to the world of piracy (treasure, sword, compass. wooden leg, compass, eyepatch peg leg, treasure, chest, parrot, sword, skull and crossbones, telescope, flag, barrel, cannon...).
- They are then told to read the 3 popular legends told about Grace O'Malley and answer some questions. The legends will be photocopied and given to each group.
- A spokesperson from each group will read out their answers and they will be shared. The pirate whose personality and physical appearance is most original for the whole class will be chosen.
- Pirates of the period include Anne Bonny, known by her diminutive Boon (1698-1782), was an Irish pirate who operated in the Caribbean during the early 18th century and one of the most famous female pirates of all time. Along with her partner, Mary Read, she was tried and convicted during the golden age of piracy; Ching Shih, (1775-1844) was a famous Chinese pirate who commanded one of the largest fleets in history during the 19th century. She ruled the waters off the coast of her country with an iron fist, rising from brothel prostitute to fleet captain until her retirement in a casino in Canton.
Description
- Based on popular legends about the pirate Grace O'Mally, the character will be created by describing her physical features and personality.
- Commonly used linguistic units and meanings associated with these units, such as the expression of entity and its properties.